Upgrade your account to a Community Supporter account and remove most of the site ads.

Reply to thread

Message: <blockquote data-quote="Grakarg" data-source="post: 6685577" data-attributes="member: 41096">I enjoyed the podcast, and will check it out in the future.I, like others, have some minor quibbles with some of the examples, but I agree completely with the theme and point.  Players should look for creative ways to use their spells, and not just try to look at their damage dice.  They're playing a 'smart' character and should watch the whole flow of the battle and see how they can affect the entire thing.Side Comment 1:  In defense of Shocking Grasp, it is the only offensive cantrip that is a touch spell.  While that seems like it is a negative, it can be a bonus.  Its the only offensive cantrip you can deliver via your familiar!  When the big bad starts ignoring the 'Help actions' from your owl familiar, have it deliver a shocking grasp to show the monster that it just can't forget about your helpful friend. Also, because Shocking Grasp is the only MELEE spell attack cantrip, it is the only cantrip that will allow a Wizard to knock out an opponent instead of killing them (ref-  Melee Attacks pg 195, Knocking a Creature Out pg 198).  Of course, being a Wizard just casting sleep would be a better option but hey... those are a couple of uses for Shocking Grasp that I've never seen mentioned or pointed out before.Side Comment 2:  Disadvantage and Advantage don't necessarily affect battles as much as players fear (or hope) they might.  Example from last weeks session- lvl 7 ranger wielding a bow, inside a fog cloud, is in melee range of 2 Ettins.  He at first panics a little when I remind him he is at disadvantage when shooting his bow.  But he does anyway, because he has a +11 total attack bonus.  Relieved, he discovers that Ettins are AC 11. (Minor illusion might be able to cause disadvantage, but even so disadvantage might not have much effect).  But its something to add to the bag of tricks in certain situations.  And of course, players are always having fun when they get advantage or cause disadvantage.  Fun = Good.Side Comment 3:  In defense of Sleep.  It was mentioned on the podcast that Sleep is a great spell at low levels, but quickly loses effectiveness at higher levels.  I'd like to point out that Sleep is still pretty useful at higher levels, you just can't use it as an opening salvo like you can at low levels.  Instead of your opening shot, it is your finishing move.  It has the most 'hp of damage' for all the 1st level spells, but its all or nothing.  Since it compares the spell effect vs. the creatures current hit points, give your fighter and rogue friends a chance to lay a beat down first.  Whittle down the big bad to below half, and THEN pop the sleep spell.  As an added bonus, ignore anyone else in the area of effect that is already unconcious, so you can cast it more than once if you need too.</blockquote>

Verification